State is poised to sell old courthouse to city

Tuesday

Oct 15, 2013 at 6:12 PMOct 15, 2013 at 7:19 PM

By John J. Monahan, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

BOSTON — Plans to redevelop the former Worcester County courthouse on Main Street could advance Wednesday, when the House is expected to approve the sale of the vacant state court complex to the city of Worcester for $1.

Under plans outlined in legislation authorizing the transfer, which is part of a larger supplemental budget bill, the city and state would split the net profits or proceeds from any future sale or lease of the property.

The city would be responsible for renovations, site cleanup and marketing the property for re-use, and, according to city officials, would receive state financial assistance to complete that work.

The property includes the historic former Worcester County Courthouse on Main Street that housed the Worcester Superior Court and the Registry of Deeds, before the new Worcester courthouse opened down the street five years ago, as well as the attached former District Court building facing Harvard Street.

City Manager Michael V. O'Brien said Tuesday that once the legislation is approved and signed by the governor, the state is prepared to provide funding to address underground oil contamination at the property, as well as asbestos removal in the buildings and demolition work.

He said the city is considering a plan to demolish the attached District Court building while redeveloping the historic court building that faces Main Street off Lincoln Square.

"Once it is transferred, we will be getting some state dollars to assist in the cleanup and demolition," Mr. O'Brien said. He pointed out the site is in a key redevelopment area downtown that offers a range of commercial development possibilities.

The former courthouse is close to the Worcester Art Museum and across Main Street from a Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences building. It is also across Highland Street from the Worcester Memorial Auditorium (owned by the city), as well as the former trade school building in Wheaton Square, which is also slated for redevelopment.

Mr. O'Brien said another valued feature of the property is that it could accommodate parking for up to 300 cars, depending on how it is redeveloped.

The city manager said the city has been working closely with state Administration and Finance officials on the plan and said the state has agreed to provide funds to help with the redevelopment once the city takes control of the property.

"I've been assured the dollars are there. It's a matter of getting the legislation through first," Mr. O'Brien said.

Provisions in the supplemental spending bill to allow the sale were included at the request of state Rep. John J. Binienda, D-Worcester.

"They have some money in Administration and Finance set aside for the cleanup," Mr. Binienda said.

For the modest sum of $1, the city is getting a key piece of downtown property in an area primed for redevelopment.

"It's a gateway into the city from Lincoln Square, and I think good things are going to happen at the voke school site, and even the auditorium. This is a missing link in that area and it's an opportunity to fill in that section of the puzzle. This would be a great spot to put a hotel, but I'm sure something can be done and will be done with it," Mr. Binienda said.

The language in the bill calls for the city to bear all costs that the state commissioner of the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance finds necessary for the transaction, including all costs for legal work, survey, title and preparation of plans and specifications.

Earlier attempts by the state to offer the buildings for sale at auction were dropped because of a lack of interest. Earlier this year, state and city officials began collaborating on a joint effort to redevelop the property.

Mr. O'Brien had earlier sought up to $4 million in state grants to demolish the former District Court building, clean up the site, renovate the fašade and the interior of the historic Superior Court building and market the property for re-use.